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Sammy Watkins living up to prodigious hype with Buffalo Bills

Aug 3, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) walks off the field following the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) walks off the field following the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Sammy Watkins entered the NFL with sky-high expectations that he instantly be among the top-10 receivers in the NFL and the Buffalo Bills bought into the hype after they traded up to the No. 4 pick to take the former Clemson Tiger.

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Watkins has been opening up eyes in Bills camp and despite being shutout in the preseason opener on Sunday in the Hall of Fame game against the New York Giants is living up to the hype, according to NFL Media Analyst Daniel Jeremiah.

"“Everyone knew Watkins was explosive, but I think he’s surprising some people with the strength of his hands. I saw him make a couple of catches in traffic that were outstanding and was told he’s been doing that all camp long. The Bills have been blown away by the seriousness with which he takes his craft. Watkins has been the first one in to work at the start of the day, and he’s getting all kinds of extra work in, too.”"

The talent he shows on the field is apparent when you see him flash all over the field, but the most encouraging sign for Bills fans has to be the seriousness he shows in practice as one of the first to show up at the beginning of the day and staying late to put in extra work.

It is that type of work ethic that can put Watkins in the elite class of Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and A.J. Green to one day be among the game’s elite at the wide receiver position.